The former Vauxhall plant on the edge of Luton is set to be transformed into a major new industrial and warehouse complex, after the two local authorities in which it stands both backed the scheme.
A plan to demolish the site and redevelop it has been backed in recent weeks by both Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council, with the promise of thousands of new jobs being a key reason for the decision, while Vauxhall has vacated the site.
This means the old Vauxhall after sales warehouse will be transformed into a 1.2 million sq ft manufacturing and logistics centre under the plans, developed by Goodman London Luton. Demolition of the existing structures is now underway and construction of the new buildings will commence later this year.
This will mean sheet metal specialists will be required to produce the fabric of several warehouse buildings and manufacturing premises, ensuring these meet the needs of users when producing or storing important and expensive goods.
Indeed, the buildings on site will be anything but basic structures. Commenting after the drawing up of the plans, development director at Goodman Nigel Dolan said: “Goodman London Luton will combine sustainably-designed warehouse space with a high-quality commercial park setting, providing customers with modern facilities in an attractive workplace environment.”
He added that the buildings and facilities will feature a “high degree of technology and automation,” and will feature a number of green technology elements such as full rooftops of photovoltaic panels, which means sheet metal roofs will need to be built robustly to bear their weight. Other elements will include rainwater harvesting and electric vehicle charging facilities.
Although this particular stretch of land is no longer being used by Vauxhall, the carmaker still has both a plant and its headquarters in Luton, where its first vehicle rolled off the production line in 1905.
